Juris Doctor

Where do you want to go with your law degree? Few degrees are more versatile than the Juris Doctor, or J.D. Whatever your professional interest – private practice, public interest, government, litigation, corporate, marine, non-legal, educational – we'll help you design an academic and experiential pathway that will get you there.

Breadcrumb

Curriculum

Are you ready to make a difference? Do you want to change the world for the better? The Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree is a powerful key that opens the door to myriad career options. Private law practice is the traditional route – whether as a sole practitioner, member of a boutique specialty practice, or part of a large regional, national or international firm. Opportunities for government lawyers abound at the local, state and federal levels. Public interest lawyers are in huge demand, working with nonprofit agencies to serve those in need – economically disadvantaged communities, immigrants, veterans and more. In-house attorneys advise companies and corporations. And many others step off these traditional legal paths altogether to forge their own way. Armed with a J.D., and powered by drive and ingenuity, the possibilities for today’s lawyers are endless.

Year One

Course Description

This skills course trains students in the traditional methods of case and statutory analysis, legal research and writing. The skills are developed through graded exercises, library research, and written work. Students prepare a client opinion letter and two office memoranda.

Course Type
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Core Course

Course Credits

2.5

Course Degree

Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in Law

Faculty Associated

Course Description

This skills course complements Legal Methods I. The emphasis is on the development of advocacy skills through problem analysis, legal research, the writing of an appellate brief and the presentation of oral argument. Students are trained in computer-aided legal research.

Course Type
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Course Credits

Course Degree

Prerequisite

Faculty Associated

Course Description

This two-semester course provides an introduction to the adversary system and the historical basis and evolving functions of both the state and the federal systems of civil procedure. Topics include an introduction to claims and remedies, jurisdiction, venue, pleading, discovery, joinder of claims and parties, res judicata, collateral estoppel, disposition without trial, court selection, jury and non-jury trials, post-trial motions and appellate review. The drafting of pleadings for a case is included.

Course Type
See Course Type Descriptions

Core Course

Course Credits

3.0

Course Degree

Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in Law

Faculty Associated

Course Description

This two-semester course provides an introduction to the adversary system and the historical basis and evolving functions of both the state and the federal systems of civil procedure. Topics include an introduction to claims and remedies, jurisdiction, venue, pleading, discovery, joinder of claims and parties, res judicata, collateral estoppel, disposition without trial, court selection, jury and non-jury trials, post-trial motions and appellate review. The drafting of pleadings for a case is included.

Course Type
See Course Type Descriptions

Core Course

Course Credits

3.0

Course Degree

Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in Law

Prerequisite

LAW.600 – Civil Procedure I

Faculty Associated

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the law of property, both real and personal. Real property concepts are emphasized. Topics include historical development, common law principles, gifts, estates in land, licenses, easements, restrictive covenants, future interests, contracts for the sale of land, conveyancing, mortgages, the recording system and possessory rights. Land-use regulation will be introduced if time permits.

Course Type
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Core Course

Course Credits

5.0

Course Degree

Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in Law

Faculty Associated

Course Description

This course examines the general principles of substantive criminal law and concepts of mens rea, causation, parties, elements, criminal responsibility and capacity, justification, excuse and defenses.

Course Type
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Core Course

Course Credits

3.0

Course Degree

Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in Law

Faculty Associated

Course Description

This two-semester course provides an introduction to the law of agreements. Topics include contract formation, the doctrine of consideration and its substitutes, the Statute of Frauds, contract regulation, the parole evidence rule, interpretation, performance and breach, conditions, anticipatory breach, remedies for breach, specific performance, damages, restitution and impracticability and frustration. Both the common law and the Uniform Commercial Code are emphasized. The rights and duties of non-parties are covered to the extent possible.

Course Type
See Course Type Descriptions

Core Course

Course Credits

3.0

Course Degree

Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in Law

Faculty Associated

Course Description

This two-semester course provides an introduction to the law of agreements. Topics include contract formation, the doctrine of consideration and its substitutes, the Statute of Frauds, contract regulation, the parole evidence rule, interpretation, performance and breach, conditions, anticipatory breach, remedies for breach, specific performance, damages, restitution and impracticability and frustration. Both the common law and the Uniform Commercial Code are emphasized. The rights and duties of non-parties are covered to the extent possible.

Course Type
See Course Type Descriptions

Core Course

Course Credits

3.0

Course Degree

Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in Law

Prerequisite

LAW.604 – Contracts I

Faculty Associated

Year Two

Course Description

This course is designed to provide in-depth instruction in legal writing and analysis, and to help prepare students for legal practice. Students will complete a series of in-class and take-home exercises and will receive feedback on their writing throughout the semester. In addition, students will meet individually with their professor to discuss assignments, and to enhance their writing and analytical skills.

Course Type
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Core Course

Course Credits

2.0

Course Degree

Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in Law

Prerequisite

LAW.611 – Legal Practice II

Faculty Associated

Course Description

This course examines the procedural aspects of the criminal justice system with emphasis on the impact of the fourth, fifth, and sixth amendments to the United States Constitution on state and federal prosecutions. Topics include the law of arrest, search and seizure, police interrogation and the privilege against self-incrimination.

Course Type
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Core Course

Course Credits

3.0

Course Degree

Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in Law

Faculty Associated

Course Description

This course analyzes the responsibility of lawyers and judges from the perspectives of the rules and case law, the profession and the client/consumer. Topics include the historical, political, and sociological bases of legal ethics; conflicts of interests; attorney-client privilege; admission to the bar; disciplinary matters and procedures; unauthorized practice of law; attitudes toward bench and bar; professional liability; and canons of ethics and codes of professional responsibility.

Course Type
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Core Course

Course Credits

2.0

Course Degree

Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in Law

Faculty Associated

Course Description

This course examines the basic principles of constitutional law through the analysis of the opinions of the United States Supreme Court. Topics include judicial review, federal system relationships, commerce clause,
governmental powers and civil rights.

Course Type
See Course Type Descriptions

Core Course

Course Credits

3.0

Course Degree

Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in Law

Faculty Associated

Course Description

This course examines the basic constitutional protection of individual rights, including equal protection implied fundamental rights or modem substantive due process (including rights of privacy, privileges and immunities, and the incorporation controversy) due process and the first amendment freedoms of expression and religion.

Course Type
See Course Type Descriptions

Core Course

Course Credits

3.0

Course Degree

Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in Law

Prerequisite

LAW.639 – Constitutional Law I

Faculty Associated

Course Description

This course introduces the law controlling the introduction and exclusion of evidence in civil and criminal trials. Topics include burden of proof, presumption, judicial notice, burden of production, burden of persuasion, competency of witnesses, relevancy, examinations of witnesses, privileges, hearsay, demonstrative evidence, documents and the function of judge and jury.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate, every student, under the direct supervision of a professor or director of an institute, must write an individually authored paper that reflects substantial legal research; presents a legal argument that is well-developed, organized, and supported; is at least 5500 words long; and is of sufficient quality to earn a grade of “C” or higher. With the approval of the supervising professor or director, students may also submit shorter papers totaling 5500 words, as long as each paper is at least 1500 words long and meets these requirements.

Students should work closely with the supervising professor or director in completing this paper or papers, submitting preliminary drafting stages, such as a thesis statement, an outline, and a first draft. At each stage, the supervising professor or director should provide thorough feedback on the student’s work.

The graduation writing requirement may be fulfilled by: (a) a directed research paper or papers under Section 705 of this Code, (b) a paper or papers submitted in a seminar or course in which the paper or papers in total count for at least one-half of the final course grade, or (c) a paper supervised by a professor or director submitted to acquire or maintain Law Review membership.

Examples of formats that would fulfill the graduation writing requirement are an academic-style paper, a legal brief, a research or bench memo, or a judicial opinion.

Students must obtain written certification that they completed the graduation writing requirement from the supervising professor or director or, for papers supervised in an adjunct-taught seminar, from the Associate Dean. Students shall submit the Certification of Graduation Writing Requirement to the supervising professor or director at the same time they submit the final version of the paper or papers for which they seek to satisfy the requirement. Students are responsible for ensuring that a certification form signed by the supervising professor or director is delivered to the Office of Student Finance and Records well in advance of their graduation date. To assure uniformity in the treatment of the papers supervised by adjunct faculty in seminars, the Associate Dean will review the papers before they are certified as satisfying the requirement.

Prior to graduation, each student must engage in fifty (50) hours of law-related pro bono work. All work satisfying this requirement must be donated; neither monetary compensation nor academic credit may be exchanged for this work. Pro bono work, as used in this section, means working with indigent clients, non-profit organizations (including, but not limited to 501(c)(3) organizations), public interest groups, the judiciary, government, and private practitioners handling pro bono cases. The Law School’s Associate Director of Pro Bono Programs will oversee the placement of students in pro bono opportunities and will certify satisfactory completion of this requirement. Every graduating student must complete his or her pro bono work no later than thirty (30) days in advance of their anticipated graduation date in order to allow for processing.

Students must complete 90 semester hours of credit to be eligible to receive the J.D. degree. The minimum cumulative GPA required for advancement to the second year is a 2.00. Likewise, students must achieve an annual GPA of 2.00 to advance to the third year and a cumulative GPA of 2.00 is required for graduation.

Over the past several years, approximately 6% of students have been academically dismissed after the first year of study and less than 1% thereafter.

Under the law school's grading policy, the mean grade in all first-year required courses must fall between 2.65 and 2.85. For all required courses after the first year, the mean grade must fall between 2.80 and 3.10. For all other courses there is no required or recommended mean.

Each student must complete the Experiential Education Requirement, by taking at least six credits of any course or courses designated as “Experiential Education.” For purposes of satisfying this requirement, Legal Practice III shall be designated as an Experiential Education course and be counted toward the six credit requirement. In addition, an in-house clinical program, a field clinic, the fieldwork component of a clinical externship program, and any additional course designated by the Associate Dean as an Experiential Education course shall be counted as toward the six credit requirement.

Curricular Tracks

Curricular Tracks are suggested paths of concentrated study, based upon various areas of law in which you may wish to practice upon graduation. They were created by the faculty and administration of the School of Law, with the intention of providing guidance to students as they plan their academic careers.

Rhode Island’s Top Lawyer

Peter Kilmartin,
RWU Class of 1998 Juris Doctor

As he enters his eighth and final year as Rhode Island’s attorney general, Peter F. Kilmartin ’98, B.A. ’88, can claim by several measures to be the school’s most prominent alumnus. But he claims there was never any master plan.

JD / Master of Marine Affairs

JD / Master of Science in Criminal Justice

Drawing on the strengths of the School of Law as well as the Roger Williams University School of Justice Studies, Roger Williams University offers a concentrated joint degree program for students interested in criminal justice.

JD / Master of Science in Cyber Security

JD / Master of Science in Historic Preservation

Take advantage of one of the only joint degree programs combining the law with historic preservation in partnership with Roger Williams University's School of Architecture, Art and Historic Preservation.

JD / Master of Science in Labor Relations & Human Resources

In conjunction with the University of Rhode Island Charles T. Schmidt Jr. Labor Research Center, RWU Law offers a concentrated joint degree program for students interested in extensive study of legal issues relating to employment and labor relations.

Clinics and Externships

Every student at RWU Law is guaranteed at least one substantial clinical experience and many of our students complete two or more. Here are just some of the options for getting real-world clinical experience.

Business Start-Up Clinic

Providing transactional legal services to non-profit organizations and community-based business in Rhode Island.

Veterans Disability Appeals Field Clinic

Clinical Externships

Second and third year students earn academic credit while working under the supervision of legal services lawyers, public defenders, prosecutors, government attorneys, corporate counsel or judges in the local community.

Course Types

We have classified RWU Law classes under the following headers. One of the following course types will be attached to each course which will allow students to narrow down their search while looking for classes.

Core Course

Students in the first and second year are required to take classes covering the following aspects of the law—contracts, torts, property, criminal law, civil procedure, and constitutional law, evidence, and professional responsibility. Along with these aspects, the core curriculum will develop legal reasoning skills.

Elective

After finishing the core curriculum the remaining coursework toward the degree is completed through upper level elective courses. Students can choose courses that peak their interests or courses that go along with the track they are following.

Seminar

Seminars are classes where teachers and small groups of students focus on a specific topic and the students complete a substantial research paper.

Clinics/Externships

Inhouse Clinics and Clinical Externships legal education is law school training in which students participate in client representation under the supervision of a practicing attorney or law professor. RWU Law's Clinical Programs offer unique and effective learning opportunities and the opportunity for practical experience while still in law school.